A Liverpool grandfather’s painful battle with a common prostate condition has led to a new commitment from the city’s health services to reduce waiting times for vital treatments. Bernie Duggan, a 79-year-old from Fazakerley, found himself battling a severe case of benign prostate enlargement (BPE), a condition affecting many men over 50. His case, however, became extreme, leaving him “skin and bone” and suffering from chronic pain and complications.
BPE, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), affects nearly one-third of men over the age of 65. While often not a life-threatening condition, it can severely impact a man’s ability to urinate and, in some cases, lead to additional health risks. Bernie’s condition deteriorated to the point where he was unable to urinate at all, forcing his wife, Pat, to watch as her husband’s health rapidly declined. “It was horrible seeing him like that,” Pat explained. “He had always been healthy, but he lost five stone and was left frail and weak.”
In October 2023, Bernie was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, but his condition soon worsened. Despite the availability of a minimally invasive procedure known as HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate), he was told that it was unavailable at Royal Liverpool Hospital, and that he would face an extensive wait for surgery at other hospitals, including Whiston and Manchester.
Desperate for relief, Bernie opted for an alternative, more invasive procedure, known as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), in June 2024. This method involves the use of metal tools and comes with a longer recovery time. By the time of his surgery, Bernie had lost significant weight and faced multiple health setbacks, including infections and sepsis on two occasions.
Pat, who has eight grandsons and a strong sense of community, said, “If you saw Bernie suffer the way he did, you wouldn’t want it to happen to anyone else, especially the men of Liverpool.” The couple’s ordeal brought attention to the need for faster access to treatments like HoLEP, which could have helped Bernie avoid the complications he faced.
Fortunately, in response to growing concerns, Royal Liverpool Hospital has secured funding to introduce HoLEP surgery in 2025. The hospital will offer this procedure, which uses laser technology to remove prostate tissue and relieve symptoms of BPE, significantly reducing the need for longer recovery surgeries. Natalie Hudson, Executive Managing Director of the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, announced that this investment in advanced surgery will not only shorten waiting times but also improve the quality of clinical care for patients.
“This service will be a significant step forward in reducing waiting times and ensuring a better experience for patients requiring treatment for BPE,” Hudson said.
As Bernie’s story highlights, while prostate health issues are common among older men, prompt and effective treatment can make a significant difference in recovery. With the new HoLEP service at Royal Liverpool Hospital, men in Liverpool will soon have more immediate access to this life-changing procedure.
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